auto tranny question

I have a 96 3.2 auto rodeo,199k and my check tranny light comes on sometimes. when it does, hard shifting up and down between 2nd and 3rd mostly, but sometimes it changes. sometimes the light is flashing, and no change in the way it drives. I wanted to check my fluid, but I don't know where the check plug/fill plug is. Any ideas? this is driving my crazy:banghead:

There is no dipstick or fill tube. On the tranny pan under the truck are 2 bolts. The low one is the drain plug, the high one is the fill plug. With the truck warm, not hot, and on level ground, with the engine idling in NEUTRAL, take the fill plug out. There should be a trickle of fluid. If not, fill it up with Dexron/Mercron III ATF until it does trickle out. Many, many threads on this. Do not run your auto with low tranny fluid...it will eat it up!

I wonder if you have a leak.

When was your last transmission service?

I am not sure when the last tranny service was. I finally found the fill plug. wow I feel like an idiot. it was right infront of my face, but completely covered in mud. the fluid looks kinda burnt, and I was 1.5 qt low. Deffinately time to change it. no leaks anywhere. Would you suggest a flush, or just a drain and fill with a new filter.

If you're not sure when the last fluid change was, I would just do a drain/refill. You'll get about 4 qts out of the pan, but you may want to drop the pan and change the filter.

Measure what comes out and go from there.

If you're low on tranny fluid you have a leak - transmissions don't USE up the fluid - double check your cooler line connections, etc.

I do NOT recommend a flush on an unknown history, you'll cause more issues.

thanks for the info. I was worried about causing more problems with a flush